Unexpected fire in kitchen of star hotel creates flutter

Tirupati: A major fire accident at a star hotel was averted in Tirupati with the timely action of the hotel staff. While the cooks were busy in preparing breakfast in Mayura Hotel near the bus stand on Thursday evening, oil spilled and fire broke out. Customers in the restaurant ran out of the hotel after seeing fire and thick smoke. On receiving the information, two fire tenders rushed to the spot and contained the fire. A part of the kitchen was damaged and all workers were safe. According to Fire Officer Ramanaiah said that this was the first fire in this calendar year and since this hotel is on busiest spot, they came with two fire fighting machines. Fortunately, the cooking gas was in control and hence a major accident was prevented, he added. When asked about the fire fighting system in the hotel, he replied that none of the star and ordinary hotels has firefighting equipment and they have issued several notices earlier and recommended the municipal department to take necessary action and the result was nothing. Fire department has no power to take action against the erring buildings like cancellation of license or others, but if the civic department was serious on such regulations, certainly such incidents can be controlled, he added.